Suspect Faces Added Kidnapping Charge

Michael Raymond Johnson, the former drug counselor accused of killing a Ventura County sheriff’s deputy, will now face an added allegation of kidnapping that would make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Johnson, 49, pleaded not guilty last month to first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Deputy Peter J. Aguirre. The shooting occurred July 19 at the home of Johnson’s estranged wife in Meiners Oaks.

Johnson has also been charged with spousal rape and kidnapping. He faces special allegations of killing a peace officer, using a gun during a murder, and now kidnapping during the commission of a murder.

Wearing jailhouse blues and standing beside his two public defenders, Johnson said nothing during Monday’s hearing.

Johnson was earlier expected to face indictment by the Ventura County Grand Jury but such charges are no longer likely.

“It is fair to say that we are not pursuing an indictment,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Frawley said outside the courtroom. He would not discuss when or why grand jury proceedings were suspended.

During the hearing, defense attorneys sought to postpone a second arraignment on the added kidnapping allegation, citing a need to see the grand jury transcripts.

“It is most unusual to have a grand jury proceeding begun but not completed,” said Deputy Public Defender Todd Howeth. “I cannot arraign this man until I know what was said in the grand jury proceedings.”

But Frawley urged Municipal Judge Steven Hintz to schedule the arraignment as soon as possible. “It is already two months since the murder,” Frawley said. “We need to get the ball rolling.”

Hintz scheduled an arraignment on the revised complaint for Sept. 30.